The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Maple Leaf Adventures are launching a series of cruises that should appeal to those interested in exploring British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest.

The remote region stretches from the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the Alaska border and is known for its deep fiords, whale population and grizzly and black bears.

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The eight-night/nine-day cruise will take place aboard a small flotilla of one to three small expedition ships, with a maximum of eight guests per ship.

Participants will be able to study the area's history and trace the routes of Capt. George Vancouver (who explored and charted the area in the 1790s), to take part in grizzly bear viewing and whale watching and to visit coastal First Nations communities, island beaches and forests.

The trip is a fundraiser for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and coastal conservation efforts. Canadian naturalist and artist Robert Bateman, a Society fellow, and his wife Birgit, a photographer, will join the trip as special crew members.

Dates: June 19-27. Departs from and returns to Vancouver.

Price: About $8,800 per person. Includes all cruising and accommodations, all meals and snacks, all shore excursions, local flights between Vancouver and Bella Bella, Canada, and use of all gear. Airfare to and from Vancouver is not included.